Youth Team Hit Nine Past Rochdale Town

1 August 2016

Dale’s under 18 side hit nine past Rochdale Town on Saturday, in their final pre-season game before the start of their North West Youth Alliance league campaign.

Jordan Prescott, who rounded the ‘keeper, opened the scoring midway through the first half, before the hosts equalised after heading home from a corner ball on the stroke of half-time. Dale also had a first half goal ruled out for a foul on the goalkeeper.

Jack Lenehan restored Rochdale's lead four minutes after the re-start from the edge of the area, and a few minutes later Matty Gillam extended that lead further from the penalty spot after being tripped inside the area. He sent his spot kick low into the bottom corner of the net.

Immediately after the goal, Gillam was denied by the woodwork, as his effort came crashing off the cross bar.

Five minutes later and Dale made their first substitution of the game, with Neil Kuemo replacing Elliot Murray.

Shortly after the hour mark, Kuemo was kept out on two occasions. His initial effort was saved by the ‘keeper, and after following up on the rebound, he was denied by the hand of the defender, which went unnoticed by the referee.

The goalkeeper was called into action again soon after, this time getting down low to keep out Gillam and Kuemo in quick succession.

Up the other end, and Rochdale Town had a rare sight on goal, calling Bradley Wade into action. The Dale ‘keeper turned the shot from the edge of the area over the bar.

Rochdale were in the ascendancy, though, and went onto net four goals in five minutes.

Kieran Price scored Dale’s fourth in the 72nd minute, finishing into the top corner of the net from close range. Two minutes later, Kuemo added his name to the score-sheet, before bagging another sixty seconds later. Stewart netted a minute later, grabbing Dale’s seventh.

Prescott netted his second of the day from close range with seven minutes remaining, before Kuemo had a goal ruled out for offside immediately after.

Stewart rounded off the scoring in the 87th minute, prompting the referee to call time on the match early.